Violet on the Horizon: Malleus, Steorra
Tumbling back just in time, Malleus was left unharmed as the tree guardian brought down its claws, but it tore open the front of his robes. Those tatters of cloth entangled in its bark talons drove home just how near a thing it had been. While it was distracted with trying to end the shadow mage, an echo itself leapt onto its own back, courtesy of Steorra's fiddling with time. The doppelgangers claws sank into its shoulders and then rent through the body. With a deep groan and creaking of wood that sounded much akin to a ship beaching itself, the creature succumbed to its injuries and collapsed to the ground. Sap leaked from a few of its wounds, but the viscous fluid didn't spread far and left small sticky pools of amber. A few experimental prods of the body also revealed that the glowing sphere of the chest of the thing was removable, though now it was dark.
The room was quiet again and there didn't seem to be anything else waiting to leap out.
OOC: Taking GM liberties as otherwise I imagine the next post will be "I look at the panels" so we'll skip making you post that step.
With the luxury of time the two were able to examine the room. Those five plaques on the wall with their gold etchings were the only clear source of interest. Approaching the control panels underneath you find the levers move and the buttons press, but there isn't any response from the control. Unlike the still living guardian of this chamber, the room itself seemed inert. Examining the panels themselves, there seemed to be a pattern to those gold scribbles. Perhaps writing, maybe symbols, it was impossible to say without taking the time to study. Examining the edges, there also seemed to be seam along the edges of these plaques, like they came away from the walls, but a few experimental tugs didn't budge them.
OOC: Steorra posted before mine got up, so adding the following based on his:
Drawing out the glowing gem from his pocket, Steorra touched it to the panel. The light in the crystal dimmed, it would recharge but it would take time. At the same time gold etchings lit up across the wooden panel. Just like the wall plaque these were impossible to decipher, but their presence clearly confirmed what they already suspected, that this place was more than just the result of highly advanced gardening. Pulling a lever or pushing a button were all equally random, so the lever got pulled first. On the wall above the panel there came a click, then the corresponding plaque went dark the gold etchings disappearing and the whole plaque raised up to reveal an alcove inside. Tucked inside the alcove was a seed of some sort, the size of a fist. Yet another mystery.
This tree fortress clearly held secrets, but it was too large to explore with the rations they had left, not while still being able to make the three day journey back to the Elucidate. Plus Steorra was wounded now and who knew if more of those sentinels were hidden away here. No, their time exploring the purple skies was drawing to a close. They had found partial answers, and more question, and that would have to suffice for now.
Overgrown Spoils
These are non exclusive rewards and mages can both select the same one if they prefer.
I'm One With Nature: Visiting this while tangle of jungle has given you new insights into the realm of natural magics. You could see ways to emulate the effects of this growth, magically making vines, shrubs and brush spring up where none had existed before. These plants would be temporary and would crumble away again once the magics faded.
Spell: Wild Growth - Plants grow up where none had been previously, not obviously useful unto itself, but it could be expanded upon. (Foundational Spell: Augmenting this spell the first time only requires 3 Materials rather than 5)
Skin Like Bark: Flesh was soft and fragile, these dangerous outings were a painful reminder of that fact. Luckily magic could mitigate some of that fragility. After being around so much of nature, you observe ways to emulate the tough exterior of bark for your own protective magics.
Spell: Barkskin - You toughen the flesh of a target, they take 1 point less damage than any chip damage they receive, but they become less mobile while the effect lasts.
A Little Drop Will Do You: Nature, as beautiful and serene as it appeared at a glance, was actually a vicious battleground of competition. Plants competing with each other and with animals, and with insects. One of those defenses plants had developed with dangerous poisons, you find one such poison dripping off the thorns of one of the overgrown plants. Taking a sample, you could replicate the substance.
Spell: Poisoned Touch - When within melee range of a foe your general attacks mildly poison the target which is slightly debilitating for a short time.
White and Yellow, Kill a Fella, Purple and Blue Good For You, Red... Could Be Good, Could Be Dead: With your packs of rations now significantly lighter than before you're exceedingly conscious of how much food you have available. With this wealth of nature to examine and observe, you feel confident you could devise a spell that would provide sustenance on demand.
Spell: Nature's Bounty - You magic up a berry bush which is brimming with edible berries. Provides sustenance for one person for a day.